FORT STEWART, Ga. - Prostitution, liquor violations, or illicit gambling?

Or how about the scourge of drug abuse paraphernalia, areas susceptible to terrorist activity, racial and other discriminatory practices, criminal or illegal activities involving cults or hate groups, or unfair commercial or consumer practices?

Though more of the latter than the former, some of these negative influences do exist and prey upon the military communities around Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, and other military areas around the world.

But there is help to protect the military community. The Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board is in place to eliminate conditions, such as those described, that adversely affect the health, safety, discipline, morale and welfare of the armed forces. Specifically active-duty Soldiers, Family Members and any National Guardsman and Reservist on active duty.

For Stewart-Hunter, the board is led under the auspices of the Directorate of Emergency Services and its director, Julie Herrmann.

Army Regulation 190-24 provides the specific guidelines for the establishment of the AFDCB.

Comprised of military and Civilians from Stewart-Hunter, appointment to the board is indefinite. The 12-25 members meet quarterly at the Sgt. 1st Class Paul. R. Smith Education Center.

“Though we look at a lot of different things, our main issues have been unfair or unhealthy conditions like apartments that may not have living conditions up to standard or code,” Herrmann said. “We have also looked at construction companies that have built homes but did not come back to make corrections to building materials or local codes.”

Herrmann also said that the local AFDCB has been called in to check establishments that may be cheating Soldiers out of money by asking for large down payments on apartments, houses, or car repairs.

She also noted there have been establishments such as car dealerships that solicit Soldiers to bring in their peers in order to sell them a car and make a profit.

Military personnel who violate AR 190-24 by using, visiting, or entering the off-limits establishment will be subject to disciplinary action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

No matter what the case, Herrmann takes each complaint seriously, even only one complaint is made.

The complaint process is the easy part. “The first step is the complaint process through the chain of command in the unit,” said Herrmann.

When a Soldier complains to the board, they usually have paperwork to support their complaint or they may have already hired a lawyer to go to court. The AFDCB does not look at those cases pending litigation; however once the outcome is final, the board takes a look at the situation.

“I also get complaints also through e-mail and through the AFDCB Web site,” Herrmann said. The Web site can be accessed by way of the Team Stewart Web site at www.stewart.army.mil; click Emergency Services; then click the Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board Off-Limits List.

“Once the person has made a complaint, it can be a lengthy process,” Herrmann said. “Notification is made to the company of the complaint. They are invited to voluntarily appear at the next board meeting, which is held quarterly. While some respond back to the allegations in writing, others who take the charge seriously show up with their lawyers in tow. This [the board] is an opportunity to negotiate for the Soldier some type of positive disposition.”

Herrmann makes it clear that the board is not made to put Soldiers and their Families off limits. “It is to encourage these establishments to take corrective actions. It can be very detrimental for some locations around Fort Stewart if they lose the business of the Soldier.”

According to Herrmann, the AFDCB does great work for Soldiers and Family Members. “Our success comes in the resolution of the complaint or in getting them on the off limits list. We try to do a position turn as much as possible, instead of getting them off limits.”

There is recourse for the off-limits location. A person whose establishment or area has been declared off-limits may, at any time, petition the president of the board to remove the off-limits restriction. According to AR 190-24, the petition will be in writing and will include a detailed report of action taken to eliminate the condition or situation that caused imposition of the restriction.

As of June 7, the following locations have been designated off-limits business establishments for the Stewart-Hunter community:

• Smartbuy, 7929 Abercorn Street, Building 5, Savannah, Ga. 31406

• Rome Finance, 242 Culver Street, Suite 302, Lawrenceville, Ga. 30045; 2056 Colfax Street, Concord, Calif. 94520; 121 Spear Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, Calif. 94105

• American-Amicable Group (aka American Amicable Life Insurance Company of Texas; aka Pioneer Securities Life Insurance Company; aka Pioneer American Life Insurance Company), 425 Austin Ave, Waco, Texas 76701; POB 2549, Waco, Texas 76701.

• People Helping People (PHP), managed/operated by Roscoe Stanley, aka Mr. Monty, Mr. John Rodriguez, and Anthony Oloans with the following subsidiaries: Executive Home Rentals, Exquisite Houses, JHS Investments, JT Enterprise, JZS Investments, Oak Forest Apartments (117 Sandy Run Drive, Hinesville, Ga. 31313), Oak Forest Properties, and Peach State Rentals (229 South General Screven Way, #367, Hinesville, Ga. 31313)

• Cyberlink Marketing, Inc., 3012 Runabout Drive, Nashville, Tenn. 37217; POB 148146, Nashville, Tenn. 37214

• First American Cash Advance, 430 W. Cherry Street, Jesup, Ga. 31545; 230 General Screven Way, Hinesville, Ga., 31313; 1900 E. Victory Drive, Savannah, Ga. 31404

• Country Club Foods (formerly known as Clubhouse Foods, Cattle Rustlers Meat Company, American Freezer Club), 150 Harris Avenue, Midway, Ga. 31320; POB 1272, Hinesville, Ga., 31310; 309 Maple Drive South, Midway, Ga., 31320; 629 Dromedary, Kissimmee, Fla. 34759.